Julen Lopetegui faces huge task at West Ham after the international break

Although West Ham uplifted their confidence and gained a massive momentum boost with the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, they are still twelfth in the league table with eight points after seven matches. Without a doubt, the Hammers haven't started the new season as was expected after nine new signings in the summer transfer window, and are three points behind sixth placed Brighton in their aim for a European football qualifying spot. Therefore, West Ham need to start taking more consecutive wins in the upcoming matches otherwise it'll be a difficult task for them to remain in the race for a top six league finish towards the end of the season.

Moreover, after the international break West Ham will play six important fixtures in the Premier League that could define their league campaign. Four of those games are against top Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Newcastle United, who are all aiming to qualify for playing European competitions in the next season. Hence, West Ham will have to take some important wins from these fixtures as well as manage to avoid defeats in any of them to maximize their points while approaching the final month of the first half of the season.

Julen Lopetegui faces huge task at West Ham after the international break

Among these clubs, only Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United are level on points with West Ham and the rest of them are in the top half of the league table with Arsenal and Newcastle United aiming to qualify for the UEFA Champions League as well. Further, Julen Lopetegui's side will host Manchester United and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the London Stadium, where they have faced huge defeats against quality sides such as Aston Villa, defending Champions Manchester City and Enzo Maresca's high-flying Chelsea. Thus, if the Hammers face two more defeats in these games, the West Ham board may decide to replace Lopetegui before the January transfer window as well.

As much as taking wins is important in these six matches, a couple of defeats could lead to a change in the managerial role at the London Stadium with another squad upgrade expected in the January transfer window under a new manager. Hence, the Hammers season and Julen Lopetegui's West Ham future depends on these Premier League fixtures and it remains to be seen whether West Ham can seek inspiration from their recent convincing 4-1 win to continue their winning momentum for the remainder of the season.